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'Work 'Til You Drop' May Have Been a Myth for Boomer Retirees

Written by: Brian O'Connell05/28/13 - 11:00 AM EDT

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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Conventional wisdom has it that baby boomers took it on the chin so hard from the Great Recession that they would have to postpone their retirements -- or, worse, never retire at all .

But a survey from New York City-based MetLife refutes that, saying boomers are retiring in fairly healthy numbers by age 67.

MetLife reports that 17% of the 52% of retired boomers said they had to retire for health reasons. Another 10% said they were forced into retirement by a job loss. But 38% said they retired at age 67 because, well, they were ready.

Apparently, even if those retirees didn't save all the money they wanted, they're living fairly comfortably. A clear majority of retirees surveyed told Metlife they did have a lower income in retirement, but that lower income hasn't tarnished their golden years (so far, at least.)

All in all, the study paints a somewhat rosy picture, which may come as a surprise to economists and financial pundits who figured retirees faced dire straits since the Great Recession.

"As the oldest boomers dive into retirement, even though some have been forced to do so earlier than expected, they seem to be 'Feelin' Groovy,' as this group would have said during their formative years," says Sandra Timmermann, a director at the MetLife Mature Market Institute. "They are poised to remain active and engaged. As their nests empty they seem to be largely feeling healthy and positive."

The outlook isn't entirely rosy.

"On the negative side, a good half of this group may not have achieved their retirement savings goals and are not confident about paying for the next phase of their lives," Timmermann says.

That group includes 43% of boomers getting Social Security benefits who took those benefits earlier than they wanted.